Lake Placid Final Thoughts, Photo Dump

For the second year in a row I've arrived in Baltimore from Lake Placid to oppressive heat and humidity. It's Monday afternoon in Baltimore and the heat index is nearly 100 degrees; Friday afternoon I was shivering on the field in Placid.

First off, on the college front, Syracuse's Hakeem Lecky, Joel White (both Graph-Tex) and JoJo Marasco and John Galloway (both Power-Tek) were very impressive. Lecky's going to be a great player for the Orange, especially if he can bulk up this fall. Power-Tek's offense ran through JoJo; Syracuse's likely will this spring as well. Paul Carcaterra has been working with Marasco all summer, and he says the kid has tremendous drive to get better.

Hartford also represented well. From coach Peter Lawrence playing some impressive longpole for Graph-Tex in the Master's division (pretty sure he scored against Rusty Red in the semifinal) to defenseman Conor Flynn doing a solid job on Marasco in the Open final and face-off man Tim Fallon, one of the best in the NCAA last spring, winning draws all tournament, the Hawks looked solid.

Dan McKinney (Georgetown, playing for Breakaway) also looked strong. Scored two goals against Graph-Tex on Saturday and showed some impressive quickness up top. After each goal he scored he came off the field saying "That was lucky." If he sharpens his shot, he's going to be a good one for the Hoyas.

Here's some extra pics from the millions I took (no more sunsets, I swear…)

Graph-Tex middie Joe Walters dodges down the alley in the Open final against Power-Tek.

Rocking black gloves, helmet, shaft and head, Kenny Nims drives around the back of the cage against Power-Tek, and his former ’Cuse teammate, goalie John Galloway.

Ryan Powell playing with the Syracuse Nike Huarache gloves. Hear about how he strings his Nike stick on InsideLacrosse.tv this week.

The Burnt Orange helmet, complete with grizzled Otto the Orange on the side.

Some of Warrior's gear at the Brine trailer in the vendor area.

Kevin Leveille's gear. Representing UMass, Team USA and Syracuse on the Brine helmet.

That is one ollllld-school lid. Bruce Donaldson keeping it real.

Love the diversity on these three gents. Evan Kay rocking the brand-new LXM Pro Cascade on the right, and old-school middies Jake Plunket (left) and Kevin Dougherty with the box helmets. Also love that Doc's got the Backcountry.com logo on the back…

The Simmons Lacrosse Foundation was selling gear in the vendor area to raise money for the Wisdom House in honor of Nancy Simmons. For more info, check their website.

Not sure what it was about these Gilbane Insurance jerseys but they look pretty sweet. And it's pretty amazing they got Richard Moll (remember Bull from Night Court??) to be their GM …

I hate the XXs for Stixx N Stones, but these Snoopy jerseys are pretty original.

Big Josh Ruhle surveying the majestic setting from the penalty box during the Master's final.

Rusty Red shakes hands with the Burnt Orange, with the iconic Lake Placid Olympic ski jumps in the background.

Ask and you shall receive my man. Face-off man Steve Knezick took every face-off for Power-Tek that I saw. Rising freshman with Ohio State, coming off a year at Bridgton Academy.

Lacrosse's next great face-off man? Andy Towers' kid looks like he's on a mission…

Lotta magic happened at this joint during the Lake Placid tournament. Special thanks to Brine and Graph-Tex for co-sponsoring the party (with IL) on Friday night.

Snow in August?? It is Lake Placid … but this is actually from the zamboni at the Olympic Center. Still pretty cool to sit in snow in August, especially if you live in Baltimore.

Speaking of magic, the site of the Miracle On Ice. Pretty cool.

And last but not least, Graph-Tex attackman Dan Holdridge does what just about every Lake Placid participant does on Sunday night after a loooong weekend. Don't worry bro; I'll fill you in on the second half of Entourage. Congrats on the win … and the engagement.